Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has reportedly met with Lionel Messi’s father over a move away from Barcelona.

Messi, who made headlines on Wednesday after being handed a 21-month jail sentence, is now being linked with a move that would ‘smash the £100-million mark’, reports the Sun.

The English news outlet reports that Jorge Messi, the player’s father, has held negotiations with Abramovich. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is believed to feel unsupported by the Catalan giants during his tax fraud case.

Manchester City are also monitoring the situation developing at the Nou Camp and have the financial muscle to match any bid and wages offered by the Stamford Bridge club.

Messi recently announced his retirement from the Argentina national side after losing the 2016 Copa America final to Chile.